growers@sgcotton.com.au Roger Tomkins - Greenmount Press

The trial crop has yielded around six bales per hectare. Jeff is
pleased with the yield and quality of the cotton, particularly
after such a wet growing season.
Cotton is more expensive to grow than soybeans but can
potentially offer greater financial returns while still providing a
break crop response in the cane.
“The BollgardII/Roundup Ready cotton offers a chance to use
glyphosate to clean up any weeds from the cane while the cotton
is growing,” said Jeff. “This is a small cost saving in chemical and
has potential to improve cane yields.”
The trial has been aided by the experience of Jeff’s son, Kepler,
Jeff is yet to see if the cane will respond well following the
cotton crop but he expects the cotton to provide an effective
crop break.
who has worked in the cotton industry on the Darling Downs in
previous harvest seasons and local agronomist Andrew Dougall
has assisted with agronomic and pest control advice.
If the growers are able to harvest the rest of the crop they
expect to market five or six cotton modules. The modules will go
to the gin in Dalby and the growers will receive the all-important
yield and quality information they need to determine the
feasiblity of growing cotton in the Maryborough region.
Kepler Atkinson’s experience with operating cotton machinery has been valuable, particularly given the difficult conditions.
August–September 2012 The Australian Cottongrower — 43